Informative Information About Dogs

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Dog Pregnancy Stages

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Dog Pregnancy Stages

For about the first month, you likely will not see many outward dog pregnancy signs, as the changes inside your dog are microscopic. About 2 - 3 days after mating, the eggs are fertilized on their way to the uterus. At 10 or 11 days, the fertilized eggs implant themselves in the uterine lining.

The first symptom of dog pregnancy you are likely to notice occurs at 14 to 15 days after mating. If you look closely at the dog's nipples, you will see that they are becoming larger and turning a darker shade of pink. At about 20 days, the fur around the nipples will begin to thin out to allow the pups easier access to them.

One of the most visible symptoms of dog pregnancy is present from days 21 – 28, when the bitch goes through morning sickness, similar to what human mothers experience in early pregnancy. Although dogs don't typically vomit as much as humans, they often lose their appetites and refuse to eat.

By 25 days after mating, you can notice one of the most important dog pregnancy symptoms - heartbeats! If you have access to a stethoscope, press it gently against the dog's abdomen and listen closely. You probably won't be able to pick out how many puppies are in there, but it's exciting to hear the little thumps, nonetheless.

By 30 days after mating, the embryos are big enough to be felt through the dog's abdominal wall. They will be about walnut-sized and can be felt well enough to determine how many puppies are in your pregnant dog. A dog pregnancy ultrasound can be taken at this point to verify the pregnant dog's litter size. Symptoms at this point are pretty easy to spot, as the dog's abdomen is rapidly growing.

Other dog pregnancy symptoms are swollen nipples and restlessness. Your dog may spend a lot of time grooming herself and may wander around, sniffing for places that would make a good den.

After six weeks, the puppies will be large enough that they begin crowding each other and squirming around. If your dog will allow you to touch her stomach, you can feel them, just as you would a kicking baby. The abdomen will feel hard and will be extremely large and stretched. At this point, the bitch may lose her appetite entirely, as her stomach will be crowded with puppies, leaving little room for food.

When does a dog pregnancy end?

Most dogs deliver their litters about 54 - 72 days after conception. A few days before the delivery, the key pregnant dog symptom is that her nipples will leak a milky fluid when squeezed. She may also have a clear discharge from her vagina. You should begin taking rectal temperatures twice a day when you see discharge from either place. When the temperature drops from 101 to 98 degrees, the dog will begin delivering within 12 - 24 hours, and your dog pregnancy will be at an end.

Household items can be toxic to Dogs & cats

Common household items can be toxic for dogs and cats. Ingestion of just a small amount of some cleaning products, food, and plants can be fatal. Other toxins, exposed to paws and skin, can cause serious illnesses. Be sure to keep the following items away from your pet.

1. Laundry detergents and fabric softener sheets can smell sweet and intrigue a curious pet. If ingested, these can cause digestive problems, irritation of the mouth and tongue, and even death. Never put a fabric softener sheet in a pet’s bed or kennel to make it smell fresher.

2. Mouse and ant killers can be tracked around the house. If exposed to a paw, it can easily be ingested causing a host of health issues. Bring your pet immediately to the vet if you suspect they have had contact with this type of poison.

3. Chocolate, even in small amounts, can harm a dog’s heart and nervous system. Never feed a dog any food containing chocolate.

4. Ice melt on driveways and stairs can easily become stuck to paws and fur. When an animal cleans itself, ingesting the chemicals in the ice melt, there can be harmful reactions including skin irritations, seizures, and even death.

5. Oleander, mistletoe, and lily plants are toxic to dogs and cats. Just one leaf from an oleander can kill a small pet. When discarding these plants, do not burn them. Inhaling the smoke can be harmful or even fatal to a pet.

6. Macadamia nuts contain a toxin that can wreak havoc on a dog’s digestive and nervous systems.

7. Tylenol can be fatal for a pet. Never give dogs or cats any pain medication intended for humans. If a pet appears to be in pain, contact your vet.

8. Antifreeze is deadly for dogs. The sweet smell attracts many dogs who lap up the pungent liquid. Use a pet friendly alternative to antifreeze.

9. Avocados, raisins, grapes, and onions all contain toxins that are very dangerous for dogs. These foods can cause kidney failure and digestive problems. Onions can be particularly dangerous so never feed a dog any leftovers such as pizza or Chinese food.

10. Mouthwash contains boric acid, which can be extremely harmful to your pet. Never rinse your pet’s mouth with an antiseptic intended for humans. And keep the liquid out of reach as the smell can attract dogs and cats.

Stages of Dog Labor

Stages of Dog Labor

After 6 – 12 hours of stage one labor, your pregnant dog will go into active labor, where she begins actively straining and pushing to expel the newborn pup. If she strains for more than an hour without producing a puppy, you will need to contact your vet. Normally, active labor lasts just 20 minutes for each puppy. After the puppy comes out, the placenta is expelled. You should remove the placenta from the whelping pen as soon as possible and discard it. The dog may rest for an hour or so, then go into active labor for the next puppy, repeating the cycle until all of her puppies are out.

Most puppies are born either headfirst or butt first. If one of the pups appears to get stuck, you can assist in the dog birth by hooking your index fingers either behind the shoulders or over the hips and gently pulling in a downward motion. Don’t pull on legs or ears to get the puppy out, as you can easily dislocate a joint or pull an ear off.

Taking Care of Newborn Puppies

Taking Care of Newborn Puppies

Once the puppy is free, the mama should be able to care for them herself, but if she doesn’t start cleaning them within 2 minutes of birth, you must step in. The newborn puppy will be covered in an amniotic sac, which must be broken open to allow the pup to breathe. Next, the umbilical cord must be tied and cut off to separate the puppy from the placenta.

Normally, the mother will lick the puppy to break the amniotic sac and will chew off the umbilical cord, but she may become exhausted by labor and not be able to care for the puppies, particularly if it is a large litter. If you must step in, simply break the sac from around the puppy’s head with your finger. You can use an aspirator (technically known as a “snot sucker”) to get the mucus out of the puppy’s nose and mouth. Using a clean towel for each puppy, gently clean out the eyes and massage the area around the umbilical cord to stimulate the puppy to take a breath.

Once you are sure the puppy is breathing, it is time to cut the cord. Tie a strand of dental floss tightly around the cord about an inch away from the puppy’s belly. Tie another strand about ¼-inch closer to the placenta, then cut it between the knots with clean scissors. Dip the puppy end in betadine or iodine to prevent infection. Now the puppy is ready to meet his mama.

Place the newborn puppy where he can seek the mother’s teats as soon as possible after birth. Mother’s milk provides important antibodies to keep the puppy healthy, and his suckling may encourage the mother to begin active labor again for the next puppy. If you have had X-rays taken, you will know how many puppies to expect, so make sure you monitor your pregnant dog during the delivery until all puppies are birthed.

Count the placentas to make sure there is the same number of placentas as puppies. If the last placenta is not expelled, or if you suspect there are still puppies inside but the dog has stopped active labor for more than 4 hours, contact the vet.

Caring for mama

Caring for mama

Once you are sure your puppies have all been born, let the mama have a light meal if she wants it, and allow her outside for a potty break. If she won’t eat, try serving her a bowl of warm condensed milk, mixed with an equal amount of water and two raw egg yolks. Yum!

Mama is likely to produce a bright green or reddish brown discharge for about the next two months, which is normal. However, if the discharge is bright red, you need to call your veterinarian right away. Continue to take your dog’s temperature daily and inspect her mammary glands. Contact your vet if the temperature rises above 103 degrees or if the mammaries become inflamed. Either is a sign of infection that must be treated.

Lactation will make your dog really hungry, so be sure she has access to a high quality food several times a day. Add cottage cheese to her food to provide enough calcium, or see if the vet wants you to give her a calcium supplement. Do NOT put a water dish inside the whelping pen as the puppies may drown in it, but make sure the mama dog can get to a clean water source whenever she wants it.

Now that the puppies are out, your focus will shift to caring for the newborn puppies.